Jonathan Barnett

Jonathan Barnett is a Fellow of the Penn Institute for Urban Research, Professor Emeritus of City and Regional Planning, and former director of the Urban Design Program at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author, co-author, or editor of three previous Island Press books, and has written many other books and articles about city and regional design.

Managing the Climate Crisis: Designing and Building for Floods, Heat, Drought, and Wildfire

The climate, relatively stable for centuries, is entering a new phase. In 2020, 22 major weather and climate events in the U.S. resulted in 262 deaths, with each causing more than $1 billion in damages. This trend is continuing with heat waves, extended droughts, extended wildfire seasons, and increased coastal and river flooding.

Webinar: Designing the Megaregion and Healing the Divided City

Much of the economic and population growth in the U.S. is happening within 12 urban megaregions. Investment in these megaregions can add stress to the environment, increase gridlock and air traffic delays, and make inequality worse, or it can help stabilize the environment, balance transportation systems, and create walkable neighborhoods with diverse housing choices.